Thanks Ramona. MM I use a dry laundry soap I make myself as well as a dry oxygen bleach I make myself.

Oxyclean ( or oxygen bleach) is just glorified washing soda. It consists of sodium carbonate (washing soda) and sodium percarbonate (washing soda + hydrogen peroxide). Sodium percarbonate is just a way to "hold" hydrogen peroxide as a stable powder rather than a liquid.

For Dry Oxygen Bleach Recipe
I use:

50% washing soda
50% sodium percarbonate in pure form

Here is some more information on bleaches:

.Ultra-Concentrated Oxygen Bleaches
Ultra-concentrated bleaches generally contain from 80-100% oxygen bleach (usually sodium percarbonate). While the most expensive to purchase they are also the most effective products for bleaching and cleaning.Ultra-concentrated products are more versatile in the type and severity of jobs they can tackle. Simply, the more oxygen available for cleaning the better. (oxy boost, oxy power)

2. Concentrated Oxygen Bleaches
Products sold in this classification generally contain 40-70% sodium percarbonate Infomercial sold oxygen bleaches which used to be sold as ultra-concentrated are now sold under this classification. While now more reasonably priced they do not work as well on really tough cleaning jobs where a more concentrated product is needed. (oxy clean, oxy magic, oxygen8)

3. Oxygen bleaches with additives and other cleaning agents
One approach that some manufacturers have made is to add surfactants, additives, fillers, detergent builders and other cleaning agents. than typed These additives are used to maintain and assist the oxygen bleach's cleaning ability but lower the overall cost of use.This is especially the case for products targeted for laundry use. Generally these products contain 20-40% bleach. (natural oxygen bleach, white wave, oxobrite)

Our laundry can get pretty bad - the younger HAs love the dirt.lol. If I were to make some of this & add it to the entire load,would it work & would it be safe for the dark/colored clothes?...and how much would I use for a load?

I often put 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup peroxide in with my normal detergent to help boost the cleaning. I have used for several years now on whites & colors with no problems. But always test, depends on fabric & dyes used.